If you’re lending or receiving a significant amount of money, you’ll need a promissory note to protect yourself from litigation or unfair lending practices and a promissory note template that can be customized to your needs.
As a lender, the lack of a promissory note could mean there’s no evidence or contract that you were ever owed repayment of debt at all. That could be a significant amount of money gone in the wind. As a borrower, no concrete promissory note means you could be paying more than you owe, or you could even find yourself sued for a supposed default that never happened.
If you are looking for a promissory note template that can be easily tailored to meet your requirements, we’re offering not one but two free promissory note templates at the end of this article: one basic, one with more advanced clauses for payment plans, interest rates, and collateral. But before you click “download,” you’ll need to understand what a promissory note is, how to fill one out, and what the legal ramifications are before you sign.
Promissory Note Template: Create, Download, and Sign in Under 10 minutes
What is a promissory note?
A promissory note is legally binding and outlines a “promise to pay” between a borrower and a lender. A promissory note must be signed by the borrower, it must outline the sum of the debt, and it can specify more detailed loan terms if both parties agree.
For a promissory note, there’s no need for a witness or notary (though, neither is a bad idea).
A promissory note differs from an IOU by being more formal. An IOU, which the borrower signs, simply acknowledges the sum total of the debt. On the other end of the spectrum, an official loan agreement is a separate contract that is more complex and regulated. Unlike an IOU or a promissory note, a loan agreement must have the signatures of the borrow and the lender, and it must include a detailed plan for payments, interest rates, and consequences, should the borrower default.
There are two kinds of promissory notes: secured and unsecured. Secured promissory notes require collateral assets put up by the borrower to protect the lender in the event of a default. The secured promissory note template at the end of this article has a place to describe the collateral and the terms under which the lender would take ownership of it.
Unsecured promissory notes are much simpler: the only real consequences of a default or other nonpayment would be to the borrower’s credit score. And, of course, the debt could go to collections and eventually a civil lawsuit (if the lender chooses).
When should I use a promissory note?
Not every loan needs a promissory note, and not every promissory note fits all styles of loan. We’re going to break down when and why you’d use a promissory note and what happens if you don’t.
If you’re dealing with a bank or a mortgage company, you probably don’t have to worry about a promissory note. They’ll be providing contracts, and you’ll simply be reviewing them (ideally with a lawyer) and signing. You do need a promissory note for private investments and certain kinds of real-estate deals and for personal loans between individuals.
Personal loans might include vehicle sales between private parties, cash loans to family members and friends, or the sale of expensive equipment.
Investments that employ promissory notes generally involve cash injections to small businesses to help them with equipment, payroll, real estate, or other expenses.
Real-estate loans that use a promissory note usually take the place of a mortgage in special circumstances. Homebuyers who have trouble qualifying for a traditional mortgage can use a promissory note to enter an agreement with the current owner of the house. The owner of the house sets the terms of the loan, and the house being purchased becomes the collateral that secures the loan for the buyer.
Components of a Promissory Note
Before you use the promissory note template, it’s best to understand each section and clause of the note. This will not only help you fill out the promissory note but also aid you in reading a promissory note you’ve been given.
Required CLAUSES in a promissory note
A promissory note must contain the following clauses:
Definition of the parties: This clause must identify who the borrower is and who the lender is.
The sum of the debt: This clause will simply specify how much the borrower owes the lender, and it can specify the reason for the loan (though it doesn’t have to).
The signature of the borrower: The borrower must sign the promissory note to make it legal, but the lender doesn’t have to. For digital contracts, this section should include a spot for an electronic signature.
These are all of the required clauses. What separates a promissory note from an IOU is that a promissory note can be more complex by including the clauses below.
Optional elements of a promissory note
While these clauses are optional, it’s never a bad idea as a lender or a borrower to make the conditions of the loan as clear as possible. If the debt ever moves to a legal arena, clear and precise language can save you from an unfair judgment.
Default clause: This clause should detail what happens if the loan is never paid back—specifically, what penalties the lender can levy against the borrower. For a vehicle, the penalty would likely be repossession, while a piece of real estate would likely lead to foreclosure.
Repayment schedule: On what date is the sum of the debt to be paid in full? If the debt is being paid off in installments, this clause should clearly detail how much the payments are and how frequently they’re due. This clause should ideally let both parties know what happens after a late payment. Are there fees for late payment, are there a certain number of late payments that can be forgiven, etc.
Interest rate: This clause would be necessary for any promissory note that describes a debt to be paid with interest. Ask yourself the following questions when both parties are working out the loan (and the note): What is the percentage of interest? When is the interest compounded? A borrower needs to pay special attention to this clause.
Security and collateral: In a secured promissory note, this section defines the asset or assets being used to secure the loan and the circumstances of its seizure.
Co-signer area: For borrowers who may not have sufficient credit or collateral, a promissory note may have the option of a co-signer. The section would detail how the co-signer would share the responsibility of any fees or penalties accrued due to default or late payment. Again, if this is a contract being sent via email or any other digital method, this section would need a secure electronic signature.
Now that you know what clauses you might need or run into and how they’re used, let’s take a moment to talk about the possible loopholes and pitfalls you may run into as a borrower or a lender.
Promissory notes can be voided under certain circumstances
Like any legal document or contract, promissory notes come with their own landmines—we can help you find them before you draft or sign your promissory note. There are a few loopholes, errors, and misunderstandings that void a promissory note, and you should know what they are so you can avoid them.
Unapproved alterations: All changes to any terms of the note must be agreed upon by the debtor and the borrower, before or after signing. Proof of an unapproved change will void the note.
The loss or destruction of the original note: Suing a debtor is nearly impossible without a copy of the original note. This is why we’d recommend using an electronic signature service like Signeasy because all parties get digital copies of the promissory note, which can be saved and backed up.
Defining the debt in anything but money: Promissory notes aren’t for trades or bartering—you can’t promise your car to someone. If a promissory note doesn’t describe the principal of the loan in legal currency, the note is void.
Lack of a signature: It’s silly, but it does happen. Make sure the borrower and/or any co-signor has put a wet signature or a digital signature on the actual promissory note.
Find the laws about promissory notes in your region
Promissory notes, and the laws relating to those notes, differ from country to country. We’ll help you find your local laws regarding loans and promissory notes before you commit to a promissory note template.
In the United States, promissory notes are covered in the “Negotiable Instruments” section of the Uniform Commercial Code. We recommend perusing the language of the code itself if you’re planning on a close examination of a promissory note in the US.
In China, Article 177 and Article 194 of the Criminal Law of the People’s Republic of China discuss the legal ramifications of promissory notes.
In India, the Negotiable Instrument Act of 1881 defined promissory notes and still governs them to this day.
For most countries, the United Nations Convention On International Bills of Exchange and International Promissory Notes covers promissory notes (among many other things) and can be read in its entirety here. This is an excellent default resource for understanding the minutiae of promissory notes; the document is often used as a template for other nations.
Download your free promissory note template
Now that you know how and when to use a promissory note, download the basic free promissory note template or the advanced free promissory note template and simply fill out the details. And remember to always keep a copy for your records.
Download Basic Promissory Note
Download Promissory Note with a payment schedule, interest, co-signer, and security options.
SIGNUP FOR YOUR FREE TRIAL TODAY
